RI Social Worker's 'Sexual And Romantic Relationship' Leads To Suspension: State

PROVIDENCE, RI — The state suspended a Rhode Island social worker's license over her "sexual and romantic relationship" with a client.

Laura Harris was working at Amos House in Providence when, starting around January, she "engaged in a sexual and romantic relationship with an individual ... who was a client there," according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.

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Harris, the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Board of Social Work Examiners agreed to the six-month suspension "in lieu of an administrative hearing," according to a consent order.

Last month, a clinical social surrendered her license after an investigation confirmed she "engaged in sexual activity" with a former patient she sent "hundreds of unprofessional electronic communications," the Rhode Island Department of Health said.

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Jacqueline Tillman had worked at the Mellem Clinic in Providence from October 2023 until April 4 when she was "placed on indefinite leave ... to address her own health issue and Respondent's therapeutic services with her patients at Mellem Clinic were terminated," a department of health consent order said.

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Two weeks later, Tillman "violated professional boundaries by engaging in sexual activities with her former patient," according to the order.

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She also sent hundreds of text messages, email messages, and voice mail messages to the former patient and "expressed romantic and/or sexual feelings for" him, the order said, "including that she 'loved' him."

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